You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet. --FRANZ KAFKA

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

How many steps can I go?

Today I'm interviewed by the fabulous Susan Henderson at Lit Park on the subject of balancing work and family.

Some days I feel like I know a little bit about the subject...other days, not so much. Anyway, it's not so much an interview as a discussion. If anyone has any special insights or even some ordinary every day ones like mine, feel free to jump in!

Looking at this photo makes me realize that one secret to keeping your balance is to keep on walking and to stay focused. (I guess that's two.)

That photo reminds me of growing up near the tracks in Montreal. If we missed the schoolbus we had to walk a couple of miles, and either cross the tracks or go under the Trans-Canada highway. I was nine at the time and considered walking a treat--especially because we had to pass the Texaco station, which was the only place around to buy candy. Imagine letting your kids do that now?

Nice interview!! Advice: Don't forget I'm coming with you. :DAnd: " Strength just comes in one brand. You stand up at sunrise & meet what they send you and keep your hair combed." from Kate Vaiden - remember. I realize the keeping the hair combed part might be difficult with our kind of hair but don't forget you're a Leo, you can do anything.

Just read your interview on Susan Henderson's wonderful Lit Park. I've been following/commenting on her recent "balancing act" thread, and I've been trying to achieve that balance between day job, family, friends and my own writing. It's grueling sometimes, but I can't imagine not writing. Thanks for the encouragement; looking forward to reading Liar's Diary.

Just read your interview on Susan Henderson's wonderful Lit Park. I've been following/commenting on her recent "balancing act" thread, and I've been trying to achieve that balance between day job, family, friends and my own writing. It's grueling sometimes, but I can't imagine not writing. Thanks for the encouragement; looking forward to reading Liar's Diary.

Just read your interview on Susan Henderson's wonderful Lit Park. I've been following/commenting on her recent "balancing act" thread, and I've been trying to achieve that balance between day job, family, friends and my own writing. It's grueling sometimes, but I can't imagine not writing. Thanks for the encouragement; looking forward to reading Liar's Diary.

Patry, what a great interview! I can connect to everything you say about life and art and family and guilt and being tired, yet never giving up! You are an inspiration! Congratulations. And I look forward to reading your book!

Just read your interview on Susan Henderson's wonderful Lit Park. I've been following/commenting on her recent "balancing act" thread, and I've been trying to achieve that balance between day job, family, friends and my own writing. It's grueling sometimes, but I can't imagine not writing. Thanks for the encouragement; looking forward to reading Liar's Diary.

Just read your interview on Susan Henderson's wonderful Lit Park. I've been following/commenting on her recent "balancing act" thread, and I've been trying to achieve that balance between day job, family, friends and my own writing. It's grueling sometimes, but I can't imagine not writing. Thanks for the encouragement; looking forward to reading Liar's Diary.

No matter how intense life gets, no matter the ups and downs, no matter how large a family expands, it is all about balance, isn't it? I feel like I'm really learning and accepting this now, even though I've been working on it for many years.

Tish: childhood might not have been so safe back then when we were out of the reach of cell phones and other surveillance, but it was an adventure. The scary thing is that our kids probably manage to do similar things. We're just blissfully unaware.

r: Your advice is the best! I love Kate Vaiden! And of course, you're going with me.

amy: Thank you! Susan is a wonderful interviewer and she does a great job of putting it all together. Glad to hear you have a chair, too!

marja-leena: Some day we really will have to meet. It seems our lives have followed a similar trajectory--you with your art and me with my writing.

james: Thanks for following me here. Susan has really started a discussion that is relevent for a lot of us. it's not easy, but if writing is essential for you--which it sounds as if it is--you will find a way.

Just here catching up on your most recent posts and I wanted to tell you how much i love the cover of your book! I will definitely be purchasing it when it is released in February and what do you think about having it as a third day club selection??? I'll participate!

kg: I'm about to enter a whole new kind of balancing act as I enter the promotion phase. I've been practicing the tree pose a lot to remind myself!

alexandra: I would love to use Liar's for 3rd Day, but it probably isn't a good idea. Of course, I DO hope my blog friends will read it and be as honest in their comments as they are about the 3rd Day books!I also hope you'll join in the book club. Suite Francaise is a fabulous place to start!

Oh Patry, I've missed so much this last little while, but this morning I decided to take some time to read and I'm so glad I did. I'll be on the road today, and I'm taking the effect of your last few posts with me to mull over. Just you, me, Dave and Tim Horton's spinning along Highway 401.

Patry, your interview was wonderful--what you said about raising children to respect our passions truly resonated with me, as my babies are still so young and only just learning what my work is all about! Just beautiful...--D.--

I can relate to the sound of activity going on around you while you produce. That is how i did degrees: research papers and creative writings. Now that Baby Boy has moved out and on to university, and the dog died (and oh my, as i write it, it all sounds so awful) ...it's pretty quiet around here...can't wait for Baby Boy to come home for Christmas and have all of the sounds again.

Very nicely done interview. Juggling family and work is something I (and probably most moms) have dealt with all my life. It took me years.. actually until all my kids were grown.. but I finally learned to only focus on today. What is going to happen tomorrow is going to happen tomorrow. :-)

About Me

My second novel, THE ORPHANS OF RACE POINT, an epic love story that spans several decades and is tested by murder, betrayal, faith, and destiny, set amidst the vibrant Portuguese community in Provincetown, Massachusetts will be published by Harper on January 7, 2014.